17-Hydroxypregnenolone Unit Converter

17-Hydroxypregnenolone is a steroid hormone intermediate produced when the enzyme CYP17A1 adds a hydroxyl group to pregnenolone. It sits at a critical branch point in the steroid biosynthesis pathway, feeding into the production of both cortisol and sex hormones.

From 17-hydroxypregnenolone, two pathways diverge. The same enzyme (CYP17A1) can convert it to DHEA via its 17,20-lyase activity, channelling it toward androgen and estrogen production. Alternatively, the enzyme 3-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) converts it to 17-hydroxyprogesterone, which continues toward cortisol synthesis.

Measuring 17-hydroxypregnenolone helps identify enzyme deficiencies in the steroidogenesis pathway, particularly 3β-HSD deficiency, where this hormone accumulates because it cannot be efficiently converted downstream.

Produced primarily in the adrenal cortex (zona fasciculata and zona reticularis) and in smaller amounts by the gonads (testes and ovaries).